november 2020 14 kislev 5781 hamaggid the speaker...november 2020 14 heshvan—14 kislev 5781...

November 2020

14 Heshvan—14 Kislev 5781

HaMaggid is published once a month by Beth Meyer Synagogue, 504 Newton Rd, Raleigh, NC 27615.

HaMaggid

“All of Israel Are Responsible for One Another.” This is how the Talmud, in discussing the domino effect of sin, concludes— Kol Yisrael Arevim Zeh Bazeh (Shevuot 39a). This phrase serves as the basis for the value of communal responsibility in Jewish law. If Jews

see other Jews on the verge of sinning, we have an obligation to step in and help. It also implies an obligation to ensure that other Jews have their basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter taken care of. Simply by virtue of being a Jew, one is responsible for the well-being of other Jews, and vice versa. This past month, the Beth Meyer community was able to fulfill this mandate in an extraordinary way. Here's what unfolded… At the end of the summer, I received an email from two Israeli men from Tel Aviv, inquiring about using our mikveh for the purpose of converting their newborn daughter whom they were expecting with the help of a surrogate who lives in Apex. I was overjoyed to receive their request and assured them that we looked forward to welcoming them and awaited the good news. Their daughter arrived at a “sha’ah tovah” (a favorable moment), as we say, with both fathers present for the birth. The couple immediately reached out after her birth to make arrangements for the baby’s immersion before they returned to Israel. In addition, the couple long ago decided to get officially married at the courthouse in North Carolina so that their marriage would be recognized in Israel (gay couples in Israel are legally recognized but cannot officially marry inside the country). As we spent time on Zoom discussing the details of their daughter’s immersion, it dawned on them that their dream was actually to have a Jewish wedding. As Israelis with little

connection to Jewish religious practice and more than their fair share of rejection from Orthodox rabbis, it never dawned on them that this was something they would want nor something they could have. But, they were so touched by our warmth and open embrace, that they asked me to officiate at their wedding as well. In a matter of minutes, I reached out to some Beth Meyer congregants and staff, and we assembled a beit din for their daughter’s immersion as well as a minyan for their wedding. Beth Meyer members would go on to sign their ketubah/brit ahuvim, hold huppah poles, and rejoice with the grooms in our outdoor wedding in Beth Meyer’s Biblical garden. Israel blessed me in so many ways. My trips to Israel as a young person affirmed my love of Judaism. My study of modern Hebrew gave me access to sacred Jewish text. And, above all, Israel is where I met Eric, and our love took hold. I never imagined that I would be able to repay the gifts Israel has given me by offering this Israeli couple what they could not achieve in Israel. This, friends, is the mitzvah of Kol Yisrael Arevim Zeh Bazeh. With your support we performed the mitzvah of taking care of one another, and we did so in the most dignified and open-hearted way. This mitzvah moment, of which you were all a part, was too good not to share.

Continued on page 2

Rabbi Jenny Solomon The Mandate to Care for One Another

The

Speaker

In this issue… Rabbi Jenny’s Message—p 1-2 Upcoming Events—p 2 Libi Eir Mikveh—p 3 President’s Message—p 3 Preschool News—p 3 Adult Ed—p 4 Religious School—p 5 Library News—p 6 Membership News—p 6 Youth Programs—p 6

Sisterhood—p 7-8 B’nai Mitzvah—p 9 Mahzorim—p 10 Social Action Committee—p 10 Ritual Committee—p 11 Life Cycle—p 12 Donations—p 13-14 November Calendar—p 15


Page 2 504 Newton Road ● Raleigh, NC 27615 ● Tel: 919-848-1420 ● www.bethmeyer.org

HaMaggid - The Speaker a monthly publication of Beth Meyer Synagogue

504 Newton Road Raleigh, NC 27615

(919) 848-1420 Religious School (919) 848-8111

Preschool (919) 870-6477

Executive Committee President: Susan Ehrlich Senior Vice President: Evan Horwitz 1st Vice President: Keith Satisky 2nd Vice President: Janis Zaremba Treasurer: Sam Suls Asst Treasurer: Bonnie Leach Secretary: Jennifer Etkin Past President: Jim Doerfler

Professional Leadership: Rabbi: Eric Solomon Mikveh/Spiritual Engagement/Lifelong Learning/Rabbi: Jenny Solomon Dir of Operations: Jonathan Wertheim Religious School: Cathy Kaplan PS Director: Rebecca Krantz Office Administrator: Carole Eagle/Rebekka Mastin Admin Assistant: Sarah Beall Programming/Youth: Julia Snyder Facilities: Steve Sheriff Kitchen: Stuart Mozer Committee Chairs: Sisterhood: Suzanne Zorn* Men’s Club: Teddy Spiliopoulos* Adult Education: Janis Zaremba* Endowment: Janet Fox-Kreielsheimer Facilities: Adam Rosenzweig* Fundraising: Karl Mundt* Library: Rita Gerber Archives: Harlan Shays Membership: TBD* Preschool: TBD Religious School: Beth Rossen Youth Activities: TBD Ritual: Sherry Shapiro* Security: Steve Katz* Social Action: Deborah Goldstein Hesed: Jasmine Medoff* Garden: Madge Cohen Ushers: Ellen Adelman Design: Michele Horwitz & Greta Schiffman Communications: John Zaremba*

*Denotes Board of Trustees member

Additional Board Trustees: Steve Hammel

May we all merit many more opportunities to care for one another in the month ahead. Whether we are helping each other vote, wearing our face coverings, or filling our JFS food pantry, let’s always take care of each other. It’s as simple as that!

Upcoming Events

Bound in the Bond of Life- A Book Discussion Tuesday, November 10, 7:00 pm Zoom Beth Meyer Synagogue is co-sponsoring this event with Quail Ridge Books. Join us for a discussion with the writers and creators of Bound in the Bond of Life: Pittsburgh Writers Reflect on the Tree of Life Trage-dy. Bound in the Bond of Life: Pittsburgh Writers Reflect on the Tree of Life Tragedy is a collection of essays edited by Beth Kissileff and Eric Lidji. In it members from the three impacted congregations reflect on their experiences in a raw, profound way. Local reporters who wrote about the event professionally contribute stories that they were unable to articulate until now. Activists consider their work at a calm distance from the chaotic intensity of their daily efforts. Aca-demics mesh their professional expertise with their personal experiences of this shattering event in their hometown. Rabbis share their process of crafting comforting messages for their constituents when they themselves felt hopeless. Buy the book here: https://upittpress.org/books/9780822946519/ Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/124946930633 Save the Date: Interfaith Thanksgiving Service - Monday, November 23 at 7:00pm The Interfaith clergy group will host a "virtual" worship service with readings, prayers and visuals representing the hope we are finding in the midst of this turbulent time. The service will "premiere" live on Monday, November 23 at 7:00pm with instructions and registration to come.

Rabbi Jenny—continued from p. 1

https://upittpress.org/books/9780822946519/https://www.eventbrite.com/e/124946930633

504 Newton Road ● Raleigh, NC 27615 ● Tel: 919-848-1420 ● www.bethmeyer.org

HaMaggid Beth Meyer Synagogue November 2020

B’ Mayim Hayim T’hiyeh, May the living waters sustain you Rabbi Jenny Solomon, D. Min., Mikveh Director

As Jews, we embrace science and affirm the sanctity of life and good health. We also have a long record of resilience and adaptiveness. For all those reasons, the mikveh remains open! Libi Eir maintains the highest standards of cleanliness and we have added further protocols to ensure the safety of our visitors and volunteers (i.e. extra cleaning/time between guests to cycle the water, the wearing of face coverings at all times with the exception of the moment of immersion, and asking that all visitors do their preparation at home rather than at our mikveh).

To make a mikveh appointment or for any additional information about the mikveh, please feel free to contact me by calling my cell phone at 214-886-5079, or by sending an e-mail to [email protected].

President’s Message—Susan Ehrlich

Like many beginnings, the new Jewish year presents opportunities for growth, development, and examination. The Board of Trustees continues to examine how to support the spiritual, educational, and community needs of our congregants while COVID-19 continues to keep us physically apart. We value the input of congregants and appreciate your ideas, patience, and the countless ways you participate in synagogue life during this challenging time. The Re-Opening Task Force met in mid-October after the Holidays and made the difficult decision to keep our building closed to congregants other than for small family groups during a Bar or Bat Mitzvah. We will continue with virtual learning, ritual, and community connections, assessing in a few months the safety, need, and protocols to resume in-person rituals and gatherings inside our buildings. I want to take the opportunity to welcome Jonathan Wertheim who began his role as Beth Meyer’s Director of Operations on October 13th. Jonathan is eager to meet congregants via Zoom and we will organize times for individuals and small groups to connect with him. Jonathan’s email is [email protected] if you’d like to contact him. Here’s a brief autobiography from Jonathan: Jonathan Wertheim is honored--and overjoyed!--to join Beth Meyer in the role of Director of Operations and co-build a

home and platform for Torah, prayer, and acts of lovingkindness. An ardent adult student, Jonathan campaigns for

Jewish literacy rights that adults need to become self-directing learners. Before moving to the Triangle, he obtained a

Master of Business Administration in Nonprofit Management and a Master of Arts in Jewish Professional Leadership

from Brandeis University, coordinated operations and development at Hillel at Virginia Tech, and ‘shattered the glass’

with his better half, Annie. Outside work, Jonathan enjoys studying b’chevruta Jewish law and theology, moving at a

snail’s pace through art galleries, and hiking the Appalachian Trail.

Preschool News—Rebecca Krantz

Beth Meyer Preschool had a blast this past month. We made Simhat Torah flags, ate in the Sukkah, and brought in every Shab-bat with lots of singing and laughter. Mov-ing into November, we will host our first ever virtual parent-teacher conferences, learn about Thanksgiving, and, of course,

continue making amazing memories.

mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]



High Holy Day Contributors

Beth Meyer would like to acknowledge the following people who were not included in our High Holy Days booklet for their contributions to the High Holy Days campaigns. Linda and Danny Brinkley Community Aliyah Honors – Supporters Simhat Torah Honor Contribution Jennifer and Alan Etkin Community Aliyah Honors Supporters Simhat Torah Honor Contribution Diane & Jeffrey Wicksel Community Aliyah Honors Benefactors Honorable Menschen: Kimberly, Heather, Jessica, and Melissa Wicksel and Stacy Horowitz Bimah Flower Sponsorship: In honor of Jessica’s Engagement to Johnathan Sturrier Book of Remembrance: Joan Fein, Howard Fein, Fern Wicksel, Rochelle Schechter, Edith Leibowitz, Jacques Wicksel, Tina Wicksel, Lauren Vitagliano, Erica Vitagliano High Holy Day Greetings: Stacy Horowitz, thank you for all you have done Simhat Torah Honor Contribution

Adult Education Committee—Rabbi Jenny Solomon

“Studying is the essence of being a Jew. It defines who one is. Hence, Jewish learning is not only the instrumental gaining of skills, knowledge and competencies. It is the religious act par excellence. Religious education is not only a preparation for what will come later; it is being a Jew, realizing one’s Jewishness, in the very act of studying.” (Barry W. Holtz; Textual Knowledge – Teaching the Bible in Theory and Practice) Opportunities to exercise the core of our Jewish identity as lifelong learners abound. Let’s grow our hearts, minds, bodies, and souls together! This month, join us for: • Facebook “Morning Torah” with Rabbi Eric and “Minhah Moments” with Rabbi Jenny

(also located and catalogued on Beth Meyer’s YouTube channel) • Wednesday morning drop-in classes with rotating teachers, Amy Ripps, Rabbi Eric and

Rabbi Jenny • Our 1st (virtual) Sunday brunch on Nov. 1 with Rick Glazier from the North Carolina

Justice Center • Global Day of Jewish Learning featuring learning sessions taught by members of BMS on

Nov. 8 • This year’s first book selection for “People of the Book” with Rabbi Jenny: White Fragility

by Robin DiAngelo on Nov. 9 • Confronting Anti-Semitism: A one session informal learning opportunity with Rabbi Eric

on Nov. 22



Cathy’s Corner—Naomi & Ken Kramer Religious School

October was a busy month! We started the month with a Family Sukkot program. The weather was beautiful, and it was great to see so many of you in person. Then we celebrated Simhat Torah with Kindergarten Consecration, a chance to welcome our youngest students to the formal study of Judaism. Our Gesher students took a day out of their elective studies to welcome a guest speaker from Poland. He presented an overview of the history of Jews in Poland and then shared his family’s fascinating story. This is one of the benefits of remote learning! Join us on Friday, November 20 for our first Simhat Shabbat of the year. We will daven the Friday night service together, learner’s minyan style. This service is designed for 2nd through 6th grade students and their families, but all are welcome. Plenty of schmooze time will be built in! Details will be sent in the weekly email for school families. This year we are not running our Yad B’Yad program. But if you have a child who will be starting kindergarten in the fall of 2021, we would love to offer you resources for at-home learning. Kelly Bloom, our amazing school assistant, is putting together activity bags each month with age-appropriate activities and crafts. These bags are delivered directly to your home. We have a few families on the list, but we have room for more! Contact the school office if you are interested. Even though we are remote, our Gesher students will still spend the end of November and early December working on a Fair for our younger students. This year’s topic is mitzvot. We hope to pull in community members for this project, check the weekly email for ways you can help!

___________________________________________________________________________________ All registered families should expect to receive a weekly email each Thursday. All class links and other reminders will be included. You can also check this page (https://www.bethmeyer.org/school-family-connections.html) for updated information, event information, and tips for remote learning. This page is only visible to logged in and registered families. Still have questions? Email me at [email protected]. The main school number is 919-848-8111 and my cell phone is 919-418-1768.

Family Sukkot Program

Family Sukkot Program Middle School Walking Shaharit Service

https://www.bethmeyer.org/school-family-connections.htmlmailto:[email protected]



Membership News

Beth Meyer Synagogue extends a warm welcome to the following individuals and families who recently joined our congregation. Max Parrish. Max lives in Raleigh. Kenneth Spencer. Kenneth is married and has three children: Tyler (25), Miranda (18) and Jared (15). He resides in Garner. Joseph and Jenna Beker. Joseph and Jenna live in Raleigh. Samantha & Stanton Abramson. Samantha and Stanton reside in Raleigh. They have one child, Sadie, who is almost two years old. Stanton is the grandson of Gizelle Abramson (z”l) and nephew of Holly Zendels. Carl Halperin. Carl is the eldest child of JoAnn Pizer-Fox (z”l). He lives in Raleigh. Ellen & Lawrence Caplan. Ellen and Lawrence are the parents of former member, Glenn Caplan. They are retired and reside in Raleigh. Joshua Sokol & Alicia DeWitt. Josh and Alicia live in Raleigh. Josh is the son of Sarah Fuerst and grew up in the synagogue. Marilyn Okrent. Marilyn is the sister of Arlene Kanner. She lives in Durham. Sam Flescher & Alyssa Pilkons. Sam and Alyssa live in Raleigh. Sam is the son of Jonathan Flescher and Susan Eder (z”l). They have a son who was born in March, Oz Eder Pilkons-Flescher. Roger and Amanda Gavin-Barker. Roger and Amanda live in Wendell.

Youth Programs—Julia Snyder

Our October events went great. They included our first Kadima and USY dinners, and a fun Beth Meyer State Fair. Look-ing forward into November, we have a great Kadima event coming up on Sunday, November 15th, a USY Lock Out on Saturday, November 14th, our usual Kadima dinner on Wednesday, November 4th and a USY Shabbat Dinner on Friday, November 6th. Keep checking your emails for messages on Constant Contact about Youth Programs. Thank you to everyone who donated to our Tikkun Olam Fundraiser

We appreciate your love and support for youth programming.

Library News

The library is closed and is NOT accepting book donations at this time. Please consider donating your books elsewhere.

• Steven & Linda Abrams • Murray Galper • Sheldon & Sandy Mazursky

• Rachel Bridgeman • Lauren Griffiths • Bruce & Mindy Oberhardt

• Brett & Robin Dorfman • Robert & Elaine Hubal • Allan Deitch & Alice Scher

• Larry & Leone Fetter • James Comen & Betsy Katzin • Sid & Rachel Strauss



Zoom Jukebox Bingo: Music, Prizes, and a Whole Lot of Fun! Are you tired of staying home on Saturday night with nothing to do during the pandemic? Join us and groove to the music as Sisterhood presents Zoom Jukebox Bingo by Keith Alan Productions on Saturday, November 7, at 7:30 PM. Gone are the boring “B-6” and “O-64” bingo numbers; instead, our host will play songs from the last few decades. As you start to sing along, find the song titles on your bingo card and mark them off. When you match 5 song titles in a row, yell BINGO to claim your prize! Open to Sisterhood and community members as well as family and friends from near and far! Register by November 2, 2020 via Signup Genius: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0444aaa82ca3fb6-jukebox and buy cards via check (made payable to Beth Meyer Sisterhood) or via PayPal in the Signup Genius link. Payments must be received by November 2, 2020. Your bingo cards will be sent to your email address the day prior to the event for you to print. The minimum order consists of 2 cards per game, with more cards available for purchase for additional players or chances to win. A total of 4 games will be played! Game rules will be provided when Jukebox bingo cards are emailed. Minimum Cost: $20 (this cost includes 2 cards per game/8 cards total). Additional Costs: If you would prefer to play more than the 2 cards included in the initial cost or have additional people at home who would like to play, please feel free to purchase additional cards for each round at $5 for 2 cards. (Please specify which round you would like your additional cards for when paying.) Prizes: $5 Amazon gift cards will be emailed to the winners after the event.

Warm Up America Meets on November 10 at 10:30 AM In October, we delivered four of our handmade blankets to the Women's Center of Wake County. So far this year, we have created and distributed 15 blankets for those in need! The group meets on the second Tuesday of the month at 10:30am. Weather (and pandemic) permitting, we will gather in the synagogue parking lot. Please bring camping/folding chairs and face coverings. Last meeting of 2020 will be December 8. Our afghans are made of individually knitted or crocheted rectangles, each one measuring 7 inches by 9 inches. If you have crocheted or knitted rectangles that you'd like to contribute, please let us know and we will try to arrange pick-up or drop-off. Donations of medium weight, acrylic yarn are always welcome! Contact Dara at [email protected] with any questions.

Sisterhood News—Sara Schweiger

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0444aaa82ca3fb6-jukeboxmailto:[email protected]



Mark Your Calendar for Wine and Wisdom with Rabbi Jenny Find your most comfortable chair, grab a cozy blanket and a beverage, and settle in for Wine and Wisdom with Rabbi Jenny from 7:30 to 9:30PM on Wednesday, December 9. Rabbi Jenny will guide us via Zoom in creating our very own spiritual toolbox to help us weather these challenging times. She will help us discover the wisdom our tradition offers for cultivating a deep reservoir from which to draw strength in times like these. Sign up at: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0444aaa82ca3fb6-wine.

Judaica Shop Open by Appointment with Beautiful Ritual Items The Judaica shop has beautiful ritual items such as tallit, candlesticks, mezuzahs, kiddush cups, and menorahs to augment your religious practice. If you’d like to schedule a time to shop, please contact us at [email protected]. The Beth Meyer Judaica shop supports Sisterhood operations and the donations Sisterhood makes to worthy causes including the preschool, religious school, and youth programs. Torah Fund Cards In this time of social distancing, we are all seeking alternative ways to connect. For a small fee of $5, you can have a beautifully designed Torah Fund Card mailed to the recipient of your choice. Your friend or loved one gets a gorgeous card in the mail with your name on it and the money goes to support higher Jewish education. The Torah Fund Campaign of Women's League for Conservative Judaism is the dedicated philanthropy of Women's League, its members, and its affiliated sisterhoods in Conservative congregations across North America. Torah Fund strengthens Jewish education by supporting scholarships and programming at Conservative/Masorti institutes of higher Jewish learning. Gail Sherman runs our Torah Fund Card program, and she can be reached at [email protected] or 919-264-6037. Direct donations to Torah Fund can be made by clicking here. Those donating at least $180 over the course of a year receive a commemorative pin.

Sisterhood News—continued

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0444aaa82ca3fb6-winemailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://secure2.convio.net/jts/site/Donation2?df_id=1481&1481.donation=form1



Tree of Life

Beth Meyer Synagogue’s Tree of Life has been designed to celebrate and honor friends, family, milestones, etc., as opposed to a memorial tree. Contributions will help support an endowment for education, established by Michele and Burton Horwitz and family, that will grow and bear fruit for generations to come. Each brass leaf is available for a $200 donation to the Burton and Michele Horwitz & Family Education Endowment at Beth Meyer Synagogue. Forms are in the lobby and on the Beth Meyer website: www.bethmeyer.org/giving/tree-life.

Bar Mitzvah of Sander Eisenberg

Sander Benjamin Eisenberg will be called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah on November 21, 2020, originally scheduled for June 6th 2020. Ever since Sander was little he has always looked for the good in people. He is

extremely caring with an awesome sense of humor. He has so much passion for everything he does. Because of this, he has been such a joy to watch grow up. He entered the hockey rink as a five year old falling over his skates and ultimately turning into a formidable force. Sander continues to pull straight A's in school and is a member of the Beta Club. Despite his current testing of his boundaries with his mom and dad he is still the sweetest boy they could ask for. We couldn't be prouder of Sander and are excited to finally share this day with our congregation, family, and friends via Livestream or Zoom.

Bar Mitzvah of Gabe Stambler

Gabe Stambler is looking forward to being called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah on November 21, 2020. Gabe enjoys many hobbies including building his model railroad. He is also a coin collector, collecting mainly silver US coins. Additionally, a big part of Gabe’s life is playing basketball. He is excited to return to competitive play with his travel team. Gabe has been attending a new school this year, Envision Science Academy. He is an enthusiastic math and social studies student. Gabe also loves to read. He enjoys biographies, historical fiction and any good book. Gabe is so appreciative of his tutor, Sharon Mills, and all she has taught him. Gabe’s parents, Dina and Ethan, and siblings, Sofia and Ezra, are so proud of him and look forward to celebrating him becoming a bar mitzvah.

Bat Mitzvah of Charlotte Leach

Charlotte Elyssa Leach will be called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah on November 7, 2020. Charlotte is a 7th grader at Martin Magnet Middle School, where her favorite classes are math, science and art. She is passionate about nature and the environment. Charlotte enjoys reading (about dragons), drawing (pictures of dragons), scrolling through Reddit, and sharing her knowledge of random trivia facts. Her parents, Bonnie & Jim Leach, and her big brother, Spencer, are all so proud of the effort Charlotte has dedicated to preparing and are excited to virtually share the occasion of her becoming a Bat Mitzvah with friends and relatives around the country.

https://www.bethmeyer.org/giving/tree-life



Our Mahzor Lev Shalem Fundraiser is ongoing. We are pleased to recognize the following people who contributed to the campaign last month:

Support our congregation in purchasing the Conservative Movement’s newest High Holy Day prayer book—Mahzor Lev Shalem! This book represents the best of the Conservative movement and promises to be inspiring and relevant for years to come. • Please help Beth Meyer Synagogue raise the money needed to fill our sanctuary with 700+ new mahzorim! • For each $54 donation, a mahzor nameplate will be inscribed in honor of, or in memory of, your loved one and a

card will be sent to the honoree or to the family of those memorialized. You can also make a general donation to support the fund.

To find more information and make a donation, please visit https://bethmeyer.org/giving/mahzor-lev-shalem.

Social Action Committee—Debbie Orol

This past Sukkot, we came together under make-shift dwellings to express our gratitude and our joy. The sukkah is a reminder that many of us struggle to create safe, stable permanent homes for our families. Our city has an affordable housing crisis. One which the pandemic has only made more dangerous and pressing. This election we will have a chance to create more affordable homes by voting “yes” on the housing bond. Housing bonds are tools utilized by local governments to put together the funds needed for creating and preserving affordable housing. Housing bonds are managed at the local level but require voter approval. Raleigh’s $80 million bond will be funded through property tax increases, ranging from $25 to $30 annually—less than most people spend when going out for a good dinner. With 1 in 4 families spending too much of their income on housing, and the cost of land on the rise, our city needs funds to address this crisis. To hear from those who will be directly impacted by the bond please watch and share this video created by the Wake Affordable Housing Coalition. The bond isn’t a silver bullet, but it is a step forward in creating more equity in our community. We must vote “yes” on the bond and continue to urge the City Council to invest in communities without displacing families in need. To learn more about the roots of the housing crisis, we recommend this short video which does a great job of summing things up in just a few minutes. Take action by signing the pledge to support the bond and sign up to join us and text Raleigh voters inviting them to take the pledge with us any Sunday before November 3rd.

Mahzor Lev Shalem Fundraiser

• Linda & Danny Brinkley • Cindy Fox • Ronni and Marvin Marblestone

• Ellen & Larry Caplan • Sarah Fuerst • Sharon & Eric Moe

• Ariel Cohen • Anya & Arthur Gordon • The Traurig-Mozingo Family

• Shari & Lawrence Cohen • Madge Cohen & Brad Hessel • Graham & Keith Satisky

• Betsy Katzin & Jim Comen • Mel Levin • Gayle Bieler, Rick Williams,

• Larry Fetter • Sharon Lubkin Isabelle and Jared Williams

https://bethmeyer.org/giving/mahzor-lev-shalemhttps://passagehome.app.box.com/s/bns3l95m9jaypara5v95eugzoyk9a812https://youtu.be/ETR9qrVS17ghttps://www.carolinajewsforjustice.org/housingbondhttps://www.carolinajewsforjustice.org/calendar



Ritual Committee—Sherry Shapiro

The Ritual of Standing Up – Va-yera’ Lighting shabbat candles, putting on tefillin, rituals that we often do without thinking, connect us to who we are, our history and our culture. But Jewish rituals are not bound to objects, or specific religious acts, they are also about who we are and how we define ourselves and our values. We are reminded in the story of Sodom and Gomorrah that Abraham, as bible scholar Walter Brueggemann wrote, that “it is as though Abraham is (God's) theological teacher” as he admonishes God (Gen. 18:23,25) for sweeping away the innocent along with the guilty. Yet, is this so? God actively seeks out an argument with Abraham: “Now the Lord said, ‘Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do?’” (Gen. 18:17). Here the teaching is towards Abraham, he must learn to stand up for justice and learn how to plead for mercy. How far is God willing to go in teaching Abraham to speak up in the face of injustice? Indeed God, Rabbi Shai Held writes (The Heart of Torah, Vol. 1, p. 37), is waiting for Abraham, the “divinely chosen teacher of righteousness and justice,” to engage the deity in conversation about righteousness and justice. God is actively asking for Abraham, and then us, to stand up, to engage with God arguing for justice and pleading for mercy. We see this again in the incident of the Golden Calf when Moses begs God to renounce the punishment against “your people.” The kind of people we are matters to God. It is not just the prophets who are called upon to step forward. “Even the ‘children of the prophets’, as the Talmud calls the Jewish people (BT, Pesahim 66a), must argue for justice and plead for mercy” (p. 39). Could there be a teaching that is more pertinent in our own time—in this time of momentous choosing—in which like Abraham we are called upon to argue for justice and compassion? Like Abraham and the prophets in our tradition we must be unafraid to stand up and call for a path forward that speaks loudly to the need for a righteous moral way in our world. Standing up has a double meaning in Jewish rituals: we stand up before God when the ark is open. And, we stand up before God when we choose justice and compassion. Resource: The Heart of Torah, Vol. 1, Rabbi Shai Held Print from DrashDesigns Optional Reading: Service and Community, In the Desert, Among Strangers

https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/service-and-community-in-the-desert-among-strangers/



Yahrzeits 1-Nov Ralph Rich Edward Cohen 2-Nov Muriel Grossman Leon Sosnowski Robin Abbott 3-Nov Jeanne Sokol Monty Rabins 4-Nov Patricia Sheriff Leon Sheinkopf Jack Rustein Anne Toppe 5-Nov Frank Saunders Lillie Fuerst Martin Schwartz 6-Nov Frances Rypins Meadows Jacob Schaffer Ruth Schaffer Anna Handelsman 7-Nov Morris Shertz 8-Nov Deborah Deitz Elsie Goldstein Gary Mindel 9-Nov Joann White 10-Nov Samuel Slater Janet Bach Edmund Mendell Marjorie Golt Sadie Kaplan Edmund Mendell Herman Boxser 11-Nov Hyman Miller Louis Marcus Jean Lanter 12-Nov Stanley Blumberg Moshe Rubin Daniel Brinkley Charles Berger 13-Nov Bernard Hyams 14-Nov Sadie Abrams 15-Nov Ruth Goodman Helen Marion Sosnowski 16-Nov William Stark Louis Hurwitz Delaney Rossman 17-Nov Eileen F. Schwartz Gussie Morrison Debbie Weiser Mildred Zuckerman Finkel Rolf Buchdahl Eileen Schwartz 18-Nov Eylon Shalev Mathilda Kosmin Irving Rosenblatt 19-Nov Kyle Palmer Anne Santo Florence Lebos 20-Nov Martin Rubenstein Hilda Kaplan Fred Lewin Frank Jacobs Robert Epstein Melvin Deitch

21-Nov David Mintz Lena Stark Sylvia Kane Beatrice Sichel 22-Nov Sylvan Merwitz 23-Nov Ella Kousnetz Beatrice Hyman 24-Nov Joe Abrams Seymour Sokol 25-Nov Paula Scher Jane Gevirtz 26-Nov Phillip Satisky David Bresenoff 27-Nov Max Jagoda 28-Nov Ofelia Lurie Carin Intile 30-Nov Bessie Lieberman Perlstadt Celia Spurr

Birthdays 1-Nov Donna Isaacs 2-Nov Philip Stein 3-Nov Ira Planer Jenny Elstein 4-Nov Leonard Bush Deborah Goldstein Rachel Andrussier 5-Nov Stacy Becher Marlana Goodson 6-Nov Steven Beresid Michelle Kosmin 7-Nov Bonnie Leach Deborah Green Anita Adelson 8-Nov Eileen Taylor Jason Pollack Margaret Israelson 9-Nov Jonathan Brilliant Sandy Mazursky 10-Nov Linda Landau Harriet Jablonover Maryanne Klein 11-Nov Steven Hammel 12-Nov Rozelle Bederman Rachelle Schwartz Richard Kaplan 13-Nov Burton Horwitz Ryan Shuirman Debra Parker Susan Reich Herbert Meyers 14-Nov Delphine Peller Sue Ellen Horwitz Rebecca Mayers 15-Nov Helen Emanuel 17-Nov Blair Goldsmith Joel Raphael 18-Nov Geoffrey Alexander Stuart Schwartz Karen Meir 19-Nov Thomas Barbieri Heather Weinstein Michael Gage

19-Nov Robert Goldwasser 20-Nov Arlie DuBois 21-Nov Jeremy Schwartz 22-Nov Jeffrey Fox Richard Toppe Leslie Needham 23-Nov Joanna Kipnes Orna Drawas Jordan Miller Jonathan Flescher 24-Nov Sharyn Shapiro Arnold Dunn Robin Miller Phillip Bush 25-Nov Adam Stamey Carl Marcus 26-Nov Shannon Becker Diane Clarke 27-Nov Samantha Abramson 28-Nov Peter Rubino Steven Richman 29-Nov Anya Gordon Hollie Jones Marc Dinitz

Anniversaries 1-Nov Mathew & Rebecca Krantz 3-Nov Evan & Natalie Schechtman 7-Nov Danny & Linda Brinkley Marvin & Gena Brown Matthew & Alyssa Altman 8-Nov Carlyn & Jason Piasecki Harlan Shays & Shawn Sager 10-Nov Shai & Natalie Oren Kenneth & Mary Lynn Kargman Kenneth & Natasha Mencher 11-Nov Rod & Lee Frankel 12-Nov Evan & Jessica Gorelick 13-Nov Stephen Feldman & Leah Friedman 15-Nov Phillip & Rachel Ganbarg 18-Nov Jeffrey & Lisa Tannenbaum Meredith & Marc Dinitz 19-Nov Corey & Billie Skolnick 21-Nov Jay & Rachelle Schwartz 22-Nov Adam & Samantha Gimbel 25-Nov Brittany & Adam Stamey 26-Nov Matthew & Elizabeth Portnoy 28-Nov Ron & Jan Kirschbaum Marc & Merri Robinson

Donations from September 15—October 15, 2020 Adult Education/Scholar in Residence

• David Dickman & Joanna Kipnes in gratitude to Rabbi Steven Kirschner for tutoring Ella & Leila for their B'not Mitzvah



• Ken Goldwasser with gratitude to Beth Meyer for honoring Shirley & Bob Goldwasser with Rosh Hashanah Aliyah

• Sandi & Lenny Bouchard in honor of Janis & John Zaremba on the marriage of their son, Henry

• Ronni & Marvin Marblestone in memory of Geraldine Eckstein, sister of Harvey Sapir

Daniel & Alice Satisky Religious School Scholarship Endowment Fund

• Kelly & Ryan Bloom in memory of Alan Bloom, loving father

• The Kotzker Family in honor of Jon Bograd for being an amazing Bat Mitzvah tutor for Abby

Edelstein/Ramah Fund for Summer Programs

• Miriam Friedman in memory of her husband, Jerry Friedman

Frances Pascher Kanof Adult Education Endowment

• Ronni & Marvin Marblestone in memory of JoAnn Pizer-Fox

• Shirley & Bob Goldwasser in memory of JoAnn Pizer-Fox

• Claudia Fuerst in memory of David Tosky, father of George Tosky

General Fund

• Cassandra F. Willis in honor of Rosh Hashanah

• Elaine & David Glass in memory of JoAnn Pizer-Fox

• Anya & Arthur Gordon in memory of Edward Riefberg, father of Donna Cohen

• Amy & Leonard Bush in memory of JoAnn Pizer-Fox

• Thorton Yancy in memory of JoAnn Pizer-Fox

• Donna Cohen in memory of her mother, Lila Riefberg

• Brenda Johnston in memory of Alan Bloom, father of Ryan Bloom

• Betty Webb in memory of JoAnn Pizer-Fox

• Mike Mangan, Tom Delaney & Harris Associates in memory of JoAnn Pizer-Fox

• Shari & Harvey Shapiro in memory of JoAnn Pizer-Fox

• Travis Tracy & Book Club in memory of JoAnn Pizer-Fox

• Arlene Bezner for Yizkor

• Heidi, Rachel, Tova & Ari Pekarsky in memory of Betty Wagman

• Joellen Kaufman Porges & James Porges in memory of JoAnn Pizer-Fox

• Cassandra F. Willis in honor of Yom Kippur

• John Williamson in memory of JoAnn Pizer-Fox

• Rosalie Hersh in memory of JoAnn Pizer-Fox

• Claudia Kadis in memory of JoAnn Pizer-Fox

• Judith Ziman in appreciation of the High Holy Day Services

• Denise & Al Friedrich in honor of all the people who made the High Holy Day services beautiful and meaningful

• Plaza Associates, Inc in memory of Edward Riefberg, father of Donna Cohen

• Stanley Greenspon in memory of Bobby Kadis

• Jon Flescher in memory of David Tosky, father of George Tosky

• Deborah & Ed Pizer in memory of JoAnn Pizer-Fox

Hesed Fund

• Janis & John Zaremba in memory of Alan Bloom, father of Ryan Bloom

• Ronni Cristol in memory of her father, Daniel Green

• Randi & Steven Dmiszewicki in memory of Steven's father, Meyer Dmiszewicki

Hevrah Kaddisha Fund

• Mindy & Bruce Oberhardt in memory of Edward Riefberg, father of Donna Cohen

• Michelle Speakmaster in memory of her mother, Judy Speakmaster

Honey & Perry Levine Memorial Fund for Senior Programs

• Harriet Schwartz in memory of her husband, Bernard Schwartz

• Connie & Bud Tosky in memory of Richard & Vi Peller

• Randi & Steven Dmiszewicki in memory of David Tosky, father of George Tosky

Jeanne LaBorwitt Library Endowment

• Barbara & Jeff Margolis in memory of Barbara's mother, Carol Buchholz

Mahzor Lev Shalem Fund

• Graham & Keith Satisky in memory of JoAnn Pizer-Fox

• Ronni & Marvin Marblestone in honor of Amy Ripps

• Ronni & Marvin Marblestone in honor of Rabbis Eric & Jenny Solomon

• Ariel Cohen in honor of Rabbis Jenny and Eric Solomon for their dedication to keeping the Beth Meyer community engaged and connected during the pandemic.

Mikveh Fund

• Jim Doerfler in honor of Rabbi Jenny Solomon Preschool Fund

• Janis & John Zaremba in memory of Edward Riefberg, father of Donna Cohen

• Alyssa & Matthew & Jackson Altman in memory of David Weiner, father of Sadie Weiner

• Rachelle & Jay Schwartz in memory of Jay's father, Bernard Schwartz

• Sherry Dickstein & Kurt Lauenstein in memory of David Weiner, father of Sadie Weiner

• Janis & John Zaremba in memory of Geraldine Eckstein, sister of Harvey Sapir

• Barbara & Jordan Miller in memory of Barbara's father, Harry Penn

Rabbi Eric's Discretionary Fund

• Jerry Kushner in memory of his wife, Sydell Kushner

• Larry Robinson in memory of his mother, Evelyn Robinson

• Marc Sokol in honor of the High Holy Days

• Elaine & David Glass in honor of Rabbis Eric & Jenny Solomon



• Stacey & Larry Kohn in memory of Stacey's father, Alvin Kastan

• Paul Adelson in memory of his mother, Henrietta Adelson

• Roger Friedensen & Teresa Kriegsman in memory of Tzippe Chaya bat Shmuel v'Rivkah, T'zvi ben Lieb HaKohane, Ruth bat Avram v'Rivkah

• Seth Effron & Nancy Thomas in memory of Nancy's father, William M. Thomas

• Carol & Joel Klausner in appreciation of Rabbis Eric & Jenny Solomon for a beautiful Yom Kippur service

• Risa Graff in memory of JoAnn Pizer-Fox

• Pamela & Gerald Boxser in memory of Gerald's uncle, Maurice Boxser

• The Friedman-Feldman Family in memory of Neal Jay Feldman

Rabbi Jenny's Discretionary Fund

• Gena & Marvin Brown in honor of Rabbi Jenny Solomon

• Ellen Adelman in memory of Edward Riefberg, father of Donna Cohen

• Beth & Mashaal Ahmadieh in memory of Joshua Field

• Carol Schemo in memory of Marcia Fligman

• Marc Sokol in honor of the High Holy Days

• Rosalind Belkin-Asseo in honor of Farah Ostrofsky for gracefully embracing the many new and challenging roles of motherhood due to the pandemic

• Rosalind Belkin-Asseo in memory of my father, my mother, my first husband and Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg

• Seth Effron & Nancy Thomas in memory of Nancy's father, William M. Thomas

• Jerry Kushner in memory of Edward Riefberg, father of Donna Cohen

• Barbara & Jordan Miller in memory of Jordan's mother, Rose Miller

Religious School Director's Discretionary Fund

• The Kotzker Family in honor of Cathy Kaplan for helping with Abby's virtual Bat Mitzvah

Ronald Bidwell and Betty Mandel Operating Endowment

• Barbara & Jeffrey Margolis in honor of Robin Buchholz, Jill Buchholz, Rob Friedman

• Barbara & Jeffrey Margolis wishing a speedy recovery to Karen & Bob Grunfeld

• Barbara & Jordan Miller in memory of Barbara's stepfather, Louis Goodman

Social Action Fund

• Sibyl Kleiner in memory of her grandfather, Aaron Hilkevitch

• Terry & Bernie Grunwald in honor of Sherry Shapiro for her wonderful commitment in extraordinary times

Teen Tzedakah Giving Fund

• Phyllis Diehl in memory of her father, Larry Nebret

• Phyllis Diehl in memory of her husband, Bill Diehl



November 2020 Beth Meyer Synagogue *tentative online offerings*

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1

Minyan 9:00a

Adult Ed Brunch 10:00a

2

3

4 Adult Ed Study Session 11:00a

Minyan 7:00p

Daf Yomi Discussion 7:30p

Sisterhood Mtg 7:30p

Ritual Comm Mtg 7:30p

5 iEngage with Rabbi Solomon 7:30p

6

Shabbat Mishpahah 6:30p

Candle lighting 4:55p

Shabbat Service 8:00p

7

Shabbat Service 9:30a

Charlotte Leach Bat Mitzvah

Havdalah 5:55p

Sisterhood Jukebox Bingo 7:30p

8

Minyan 9:00a

New Member Brunch 10:15a Global Day of Jewish Learning 4:00p

9 “People of the Book” Club 12:30p

10

Warm Up America 10:30a Bound in the Bond of Life 7:00p

11

Adult Ed Study Session 11:00a

Minyan 7:00p



13



14


Havdalah 5:50p

15 Minyan 9:00a

16 Caregivers’ Support Group 7:00p

17

18


Minyan 7:00p



20



21 Shabbat Service 9:30a

Gabe Stambler Bar Mitzvah

Minhah 4:30p

Sander Eisenberg Bar Mitzvah

Havdalah 5:46p

22

Minyan 9:00a

Confronting Anti-Semitism 10:00a

23

Interfaith Thanksgiving Service 7:00p

24

25


Minyan 7:00p


26 Office Closed for

Thanksgiving

27

Office Closed for Thanksgiving



28


Havdalah 5:43p

29

Minyan 9:00a

30

Dec 1

Dec 2 Adult Ed Study Session 11:00a

Minyan 7:00p


Sisterhood Mtg 7:30p

Dec 3 iEngage with Rabbi Solomon 7:30p

Dec 4

Shabbat Mishpahah 6:30p



Dec 5 Shabbat Service 9:30a

Harrison Glickstein

Bar Mitzvah

Havdalah 5:43p

“The world rests on three things: Torah, Prayer, and Acts of Lovingkindness.” - Pirkei Avot

Beth Meyer Synagogue is a holy community rooted in these sacred principles---

• Torah: We study the Torah to refine our souls and become more moral human beings.

• Avodah: We pray with heartfelt intention and seek ever greater ways to connect with God.

• Gemilut Hasadim: We care for each other in times of need and celebrate with each other in times of joy. We act to make the world a better place---here in Raleigh, in America, in Israel, and throughout the world.

504 Newton Road Raleigh, NC 27615 Office: 919-848-1420 School: 919-848-8111

Email: [email protected] Web: www.bethmeyer.org

november 2020 14 kislev 5781 hamaggid the speaker...november 2020 14 heshvan—14 kislev 5781...

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